Editor’s note: Your Press Democrat today presents a guest editorial on background of the Iranian-British oil dispute written by Freidoun Pirzadeh.

Mr. Pirzadeh, a member of the display advertising staff of your Press Democrat, is a native of Iran and before coming to the United States 4 years ago was both a newspaper publisher and a radio news analyst. He is a personal acquaintance of both Premier Mossadegh and the King, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.

THE CRISIS in Iran and the nationalization of its oil industry has been a puzzle for many people of the world.

Premier Mohammed Mossadegh, the leader of this revolution, is blamed for refusing to negotiate with the British and renew the contract of the former Anglo-Iranian Oil Co.

MOSSADEGH spent most of his life as a fighter for his conception of the right. Two years ago, as soon as he obtained power, he decided to bring about what he called “freedom” for his people. Today, after this long period of hard work, he is fighting with the king, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the religious leader, Ayattollah Kashani, [sic] and the people who are against his idea. [The Shah claimed to endorse nationalization, as did Ayatollah Kashani]

For 52 years the British company with its powerful influence on Iran had the concession of the South Iranian Oil and had made tremendous profits. To maintain this source of income, the company always strove by restricting Iranian income to put the country under financial pressure and has prevented any one government from staying in office long enough to concentrate on the welfare of the nation. They split the people into religious antagonism, have isolated Iran from the outside world and tried to keep the people uneducated.

The Anglo Iranian Oil company, the largest oil producer in the world, was operated by Great Britain. Iran was getting less than 22 per cent of the profits.

The British, fearing complete loss of their $300 million oil industry in Iran, offered to share the profit equally with the Iranians but this came too late. Demand for nationalization of the oil industry continued by the people, and the time has come that the Iranian people, who own these resources and live in utmost misery, are determined to use these profits to improve their living condition and prevent the danger of revolution.

The British monopoly over Iran’s oil was a constant temptation for Russian intervention in Iran’s affairs.

Iranians, having been deprived for centuries of a decent living, their freedom suppressed, their land exploited by foreigners, have awakened. They are resolved to reform their nation on sound principles to raise their standard of living. During the past 2 years hundreds of people, including two premiers and many newspapermen have been killed in Iran, and still the people fight for their rights and independence at any cost. [Ali Razmara was the only Premier assassinated in this time period]

ONE THING that makes the whole world concerned is the possibility of negotiation between Iran and Russia. But the Iranians know that Communism will not solve their problems. Their strong Mohammedan ideologies are least compatible with Communism.

The biggest problem in Iran today is the lack of technicians in the oil refinery and a ready market to use this product. Backed by the people, Mossadegh, in spite of his poor health, is trying to overcome these difficulties. One thing is certain, and that is, no matter how long this struggle continues, as long as he is in power, under no condition would he negotiate with Great Britain. And as he once said, “we would rather starve than let the British run our oil industry.” [Mossadegh did in fact negotiate with Britain, who were far more interested in removing him than negotiating]